Plant families and taxonomy is an everchanging dynamic science. As we study and learn more about each vegetable, fruit, root, flower and shoot. We discover new factors and elements that cause scientists and researchers to ponder how we categorize our plants into families. Plant Families are just one of the many taxonomic groups that we categorize plants into. It has to do with the actual structure of the flower or leaf arrangement and even fruiting types.

Some might be familiar with the Poaceae Family as it is the grass family or the Brassicaceae Family, pertaining to broccoli, mustards, and cabbage. I wanted to highlight or showcase the Solanaceae, or the Nightshade family. This is a pretty famous family as its members are well known and enjoyed everywhere! I’m referring to Tomatoes, Potatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants!

Tomatoes:
Tomatoes come in many shapes and sizes. Either in the small cherry or grape variety, or even the big beefsteak or slicer varieties. If you eat tomatoes, chances are there is a variety for you! I enjoy any and all types. Tomatoes are fairly easy to grow, despite the many fungal and bacterial diseases they can harbor.

Sun/Shade Preference: Full Sun
pH: 5.8 – 6.8

Types: ​​​​​​
Determinate: bush-type, bears a full crop of fruit all at once, grows to a specific height, and is good for container planting

Indeterminate: vine-like, never top off, and continue producing fruits until frost

Interesting Fact:
Tomatoes are native to Peru and due to Spanish Colonization, spread all over the known world.

Known problems/diseases:
Tomatoes are susceptible to many pests including stink bugs, cutworms, tomato hornworms, tobacco hornworms, aphids, cabbage looper, whiteflies, tomato fruit worms, flea beetles, red spider mites, slugs, and Colorado potato beetles.

Diseases include blights, blossom end-rot, Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, Tobacco mosaic virus, and bacterial and viral diseases. Cultivars can vary in their disease resistance. Many hybrids have been developed to improve disease resistance.

Read more about tomatoes on the NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Potatoes: 
Potatoes are another fan favorite for most. It’s important to recognize that Sweet Potatoes(Ipomoea batatas) are not in the same family as potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Sweet potatoes are in the Morning Glory Family. The kind of potatoes we are referring to are what’s known as Irish Potatoes or White potatoes. These kinds of potatoes are grown from seed potatoes.

Sun preference: Full Sun
pH: less than 6.0 (Acidic)

Interesting Fact:
Tubers will turn green and produce toxic compounds if not sufficiently covered.

Known problems/diseases:
Potatoes are susceptible to the Colorado potato beetles, flea beetles, wireworms and leafhoppers. Colorado potato beetles lay masses of yellow eggs and the larvae defoliate plants. Potato late blight will rot tubers and render them inedible. Viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases are potential problems. If this occurs, it is best to remove and destroy the diseased plants.

Read more about potatoes on the NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Peppers:
Whether you like sweet or hot peppers, most connoisseurs can find a variety or type that works for them. There are so many types and varieties of peppers. Be careful, if you grow both sweet and hot, as they can cross pollinate and you end up with  a spicier sweet

Sun Preference: Full Sun
pH: 6.0 – 8.0

Interesting Fact:
The “heat” that we get from eating peppers is due to the presence of capsaicin in the flesh and seeds, a trait that has been altered through breeding for various purposes. Some cultivars are sweet with no spice, and others have world record-breaking quantities of capsaicin within. Peppers tend to be tolerant to both drought and heat and resistant to damage from deer.

Known Problems/Diseases:
At this time, there are not many known or well researched problems associated with peppers.

Read more about peppers on the NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Eggplants:
Eggplants are a favorite of mine. As a kid growing up with a Filipino grandmother or Lola, I would always enjoy the Filipino breakfast “Tortang Talong”. It’s essentially a grilled Eggplant Filet washed in egg and fried in a skillet. So Eggplant has a tender place in my heart. Most might be more familiar with eggplant parmesan. Either way. There are some cool ways to utilize eggplant.

Sun Preference: Full Sun
pH: 5.5 – 6.8

Interesting Fact:
Grows fastest between 75 to 80 F. Only Seeds and Fruit are edible. All other parts of eggplant are toxic.

Known Problems/Diseases:
Flea beetles, tomato hornworms, Colorado potato beetles, and cutworms are potential pests. Verticillium wilt can occur. It is best prevented by planting disease-resistant cultivars and rotation of crops.

Read more about eggplant on the NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.